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Let There be Lights

6/10/2013

1 Comment

 
Picture
Today we filmed the first of the new Goss' Garage segments.  Unlike the rest of the segments on the show, Goss' Garage is not produced throughout the year.  Instead, we spend three weeks in the summer doing intense work to film all of the segments, and then we drop them into shows during the regular season.

This year, due to some other scheduled events, MPT is shooting the Goss' segments about two months earlier than usual.  As a result, everybody was scrambling to get set up this morning.  As a treat, one of the producers brought in boxes of donuts and muffins for everyone.  Apparently this is a tradition they've had for some time now.  Unfortunately, I've been really trying to eat healthy and cut out sweets, so I had to resist the lure of Entenmann's Crumb Donuts.

Before shooting began, lights had to be set up.  A crew did a lot of the work last week when I was cleaning, so today they mostly adjusted lights according to what props and cars were on set.  Lighting is one of my weaknesses.  I know very little about what makes good lighting; all I know is that you need lots of it.  I tried to observe as much as possible, but the lighting technician is so good that she works almost too quickly to keep up with.  One thing did slow her down.  After one of the producers pulled the unsavory surprise down off the lights, it fell to the intern to make sure it was thrown away.

Shooting went well today, and we finished segments about choosing antifreeze, testing antifreeze, and cleaning your air conditioning system.  I was amazed to see Pat Goss improvise entire segments off the cuff and get it perfect within one or two takes.  He didn't even need cue cards.

The set gets very hot from all the lights, so I was left in charge of running the air conditioning system.  Obviously we couldn't tape with the system running due to the noise, so I was tasked with shutting it off during takes.  We kept the garage a balmy 70 degrees for most of the afternoon.

Tomorrow I can plan for more of the same.  I don't expect many difficulties now that we are up and rolling.  However, resisting the temptation of donuts for a second day may prove more challenging.


1 Comment
BW
6/10/2013 03:43:57 pm

What title does one have if you're in charge of the air conditioning? Lighting techs are gaffers. Then you have grips. You're no the best boy-- are you the cool guy?

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    Joe Ligo  - Motor Geek

    This summer I am working as an intern for the PBS series MotorWeek.  Here are my tales from the job.

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